Nintendo doesn’t feel Mario IP is overexposed, is “highly cognizant” of every release

By Stephany Nunneley

The Mario franchise is an IP Nintendo is “highly cognizant” of, according to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, and as long as each release offers fans something new, there’s no reason to fear an overly saturated Mario market.

Speaking with GI International, Fils-Aime said the Nintendo hold the Mario “IP very dearly.”

“Our developers, starting with Mr. Miyamoto and going through the entire EAD development organization, they understand the power of our franchises, and they understand that the only reason these franchises have the power that they do is that they have to make sure that each subsequent edition is unique, different and offers something new,” he said.

“They know that if they don’t do that, we’ll kill the golden goose that lays the golden egg. So it’s something they are highly cognizant of, and even the executives on the business side, we hold that IP very dearly to make sure that every edition in the series is foundationally sound.”

Fils-Aime’s comments echo those made by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata during gamescom when he said: “We only create a New Super Mario Bros. title one per platform.

“I think we’ll probably go ahead and continue at that pace. That being said, that’s probably Miyamoto’s choice, so I can’t give you a 100% guarantee that that’s the pace we’ll continue at.”

New Super Marios Bros. U will launch alongside Wii U in November.

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